Campaign highlights historical ‘power'

Updated 9:36 pm, Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Photo: HELEN L. MONTOYA, San Antonio Express-News

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The Mission Road Power Plant is being restored by CPS Energy. Two major preservation fund-raisers have been booked for October at the plant, in hopes of raising $100,000 for local preservation projects. With federal aid for preservation expected to decline, private fund-raising is viewed as a way to promote sustainability and revitalization of downtown and outlying neighborhoods.

The Mission Road Power Plant is being restored by CPS Energy. Two major preservation fund-raisers have been booked for October at the plant, in hopes of raising $100,000 for local preservation projects. With

The Mission Road Power Plant is being restored by CPS Energy. Two major preservation fund-raisers have been booked for October at the plant, in hopes of raising $100,000 for local preservation projects. With federal aid for preservation expected to decline, private fund-raising is viewed as a way to promote sustainability and revitalization of downtown and outlying neighborhoods.

The Mission Road Power Plant is being restored by CPS Energy. Two major preservation fund-raisers have been booked for October at the plant, in hopes of raising $100,000 for local preservation projects. With

The Mission Road Power Plant is being restored by CPS Energy. Two major preservation fund-raisers have been booked for October at the plant, in hopes of raising $100,000 for local preservation projects. With federal aid for preservation expected to decline, private fund-raising is viewed as a way to promote sustainability and revitalization of downtown and outlying neighborhoods.

The Mission Road Power Plant is being restored by CPS Energy. Two major preservation fund-raisers have been booked for October at the plant, in hopes of raising $100,000 for local preservation projects. With

Local leaders today will announce a new awareness campaign titled “The Power of Preservation,” which uses a 1909 electric plant as its symbol of vitality.

San Antonio preservationists will wear tattoos — most, if not all, in temporary ink — to promote the theme, which seeks to advance historical conservation as a cause that's smart and trendy.

“Preservation is a powerful tool in our community for promoting economic development, tourism and sustainability. It's something many are already buying into on some level, even if they don't realize it,” said Shanon Peterson, the city's historic preservation officer.

One goal of the effort is to raise $100,000 for small preservation projects. The announcement is set for 4:15 p.m. at the Yturri-Edmunds Historic Site, 128 Mission Road, within view of the Mission Road Power Plant, a decommissioned facility that's being cleaned up by CPS Energy for potential redevelopment.

Although the utility has yet to determine the plant's long-term future, an Oct. 25 event billed as a “prom,” followed by a pachanga, will be held there to raise funds and public awareness of historic preservation. Guests will have the option of attending in formal attire or in costume from a favorite era.

“Preservation is about more than things that are old. It's alive and it's fresh,” said Andi Rodriguez, a chair of the event and a graduate student of architecture.

Rodriguez said the campaign seeks to reach people at all economic levels, dispelling the notion that preservation is only for persnickety people of wealth. Lower-priced tickets will be available to ensure no one is excluded from the fundraising events.

“It's important for us to have everyone involved,” Rodriguez said. “Nothing like this has been done before.”

Since most of San Antonio's historic assets are in or near downtown, the preservation campaign can help foster inner-city revitalization, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, protection of trees and green space and other goals many young people support, she said.

Peterson said the funds will support local programs that use student volunteers to restore old houses, and to provide financial aid to property owners who rehabilitate residential or commercial structures. As federal community development funds dwindle, private-sector support will become more important, she said.

“We really saw a need for some private fundraising. We want to have some flexibility,” Peterson said.